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MAN-STEALING AND SLAVERY 



DENOUNCED BY TJIS 



PRESBYTERIAIV 



TOGETHER WITH AN 



ADDRESS TO ALL THE CHURCHES. 



BY REV. GEORGE BOURNE. 



S BOSTONi 

PUBLISHED BY GARRISON & KNAPP. 

1834. 



MAN-STEALING AND SLAVERY 

nENOU.N'CED BY THE 

PRESBYTERIAN AND METHODIST CHURCHES. 



'At a meeting of Delegates to form a 
National Anti-Slavery Society, convened at 
Philadelphia, 4th December, 1833: 

^Resolved, That George Bourne, William 
Lloyd Garrison and Charles VV. Denison 
be a committee to prepare a synopsis of 
Wesley's Thoughts on Slavery ; and of the 
anti-slavery items in a note formerly exist- 
ing in the Catechism of the Presbyterian 
church of the United States; and of such 
other similar testimony as they can obtain, 
to be addressed to Methodists, Presbyteri- 
ans, and all professed Christians in this 
country, and published under the sanction of 
this convention.' 

In conformity with this appointment, the 
committee have selected from the records 
of the Presbyterian church every article of 
general interest which adverts to this mo- 
mentous subject. They have also combined 
with those discussions, all that is universally 
admitted as obligatory in the Methodist dis- 
cipline, with every thing material in the tract 
of John Wesley respecting slavery. 

The general ignorance not only of the 
citizens at large, but also of the Presbyte- 
rian and Methodist churches, and their im- 
mediate adherents, of these autiientic docu- 
ments, renders their republication indispen- 
sable. The persons who are actually enu- 
merated as in the communion of those two 
churches, with other attendants on their 
worship, who are directly influenced by 
them, probably comprise one million of the 
adult population of these States. The vast 
moral power which is thus wielded over our 
republic, combined with the inconceivable 
responsibility of those who manage machi- 
nery productive of such unspeakably influ- 
ential results, demands that it should be ex- 
ercised legitimately, and for the holy pur- 
poses of human improvement according to 
the authoritative prescriptions of the Chris- 
tian relio'ion. 

In reference to slavery in the abstract, both 
those churches agree. They join in une- 
quivocally condemning the whole system as 
most corrupt in origin, of the vilest charac- 
ters and as accompanied with the most dire- 
ful effects upon its victims, and with ever- 
lasting punishment to the impenitent work- 
ers of that iniquity. Now, only let us sup- 
pose that an overwhelming majority of this 
million of adults would simultaneously de- 



clare, that within their moral and religious 
communion and influence, man-stealing 
should instantly terminate ; and that every 
man among them who would not immedi- 
ately cease, as John Wesley characterizes 
them to be a ' lion, a tiger, a bear, and a 
tvolj','' should be excluded from their church- 
es ; and that henceforth no slave-driver 
should be acknowledged as a Christian — 
slavery in the United States would be smit- 
ten in the fifth rib, so that it would require 
not the second stroke; but would speedily 
expire, amid the hallelujahs of Christians, 
who would witness and hail the last strug- 
gles of the infamous and odious dying mon- 
ster. 

The ensuing extracts thfreforo, from the 
authentic standards of the Presbyterian and 
Methodist Episcopal churches, are earnestly 
recommended to the deliberate examination 
of all persons who are anxious to remove the 
evil of slavery from our republic ; and es- 
pecially to the serious and prayerful scrutiny 
of all Christians of every denomination. 
They afford abundantly instructive matter 
for careful reflection. They teach us that 
Christian professors will solemnly and re- 
peatedly avow in the most public forms, their 
belief and adherence to Christian truth ; 
and at the same time, that they will wilfully 
and constantly violate all its sublime com- 
mandments. They exhibit ecclesiastical 
bodies in a very mournful aspect, as assert- 
ing undeniable verities ; and then obliterat- 
ing their own creed; as proclaiming the 
mandates of divine revelation to be obliga- 
tory, and yet themselves practically nullily- 
ing them; and instead of manfully uphold- 
ing Christian truth, as shifting, shuffling, 
time-serving, and turning about, just as the 
demands of worldly wisdom and covetous- 
ness, the clamors of carnal policy and sen- 
sual indulgence, and the schemes of diabol- 
ical expediency, urge them to deny equity 
and justice ; and to extenuate or sanction 
every diversified crime which flows from 
man-stealing. 

No documents upon slavery of equal im- 
portance, it is believed, can be exhibited to 
the American churches and citizens. These 
are not the ebullitions of modern controversy 
drawn forth by the recent excitements. 
They are the grave, cold, and almost un- 
feeling declarations of men. who were gov- 



Preshyteriamsvi and Slavery. 



erned in their expressions eviwi by the crim- 
inals whose actions are condemned, and 
against whom their regulations only could 
be enforced. Yet no modern anti-slavery 
partisans, not even the Convention wiio 
formed the American Anti-Slavery Society, 
have exceeded the Presbyterian General 
Assembly in hideousness of display, and the 
Methodist Conferences in unequivocal con- 
demnation. Tlie most powerful passages in 
the declaration of the American Anti-Slave- 
ry Society equal not John Wesley, tlie ora- 
cle of Methodism, in pungency of censure 
and reproachful epithets. It is therefore 
essential to recur to fundamental principles; 
and to make known to all classes of citizens, 
the sterling doctrines, the indignant denun- 
ciations, and the authoritative injunctions of 
the Presbyterian and Metliodist churches 
upon this grave topic; with the genuine 
spirit and effects of man-stealing, and the 
true character and doings of all slave-hold 
ers. 
J^eW'York, January 11, 1834. 



PRESBYTERIANISM AND SLAVERY. 

Opinion of the Synod of .Yew-York and 
Philadelphia in regard to Slavery, and ils 
abolition, in 1787. 

'The Synod, taking into consideration the 
overture concerning Slavery, came to the 
^following judgment: 

I The Synod of New- York and Philadel- 
:phia do highly approve of the general prin- 
ciples in favor of universal liberty that pre- 
vail in America, and the interest which many 
of the states have taken in promoting the 
abolition of slavery. They earnestly recom- 
mend it to ail t!ie members belonging to 
-their communion, to give those persons who 
are at present held in servitude such good 
education as to prepare them for the better 
enjoyment of freedom. And they more- 
over recommend that masters, wherever they 
find servants disposed to make a just im- 
>provement of the privilege, would give 
them a poculium, or grant them sufficient 
time, and sufficient men ns of procuring their 
own liberty at a rnoderafn rate ; that thereby 
they may be brought into society wjtii those 
habits of industry tlint miy render them 
useful citizens. And finally, thny recommend 
it to all their people to use the most pru- 
dent measures, consistent with the interests 
and the state of civil society in the countries 
where they live, to procure eventually the 
final abolition of slavery in America. 

This 'judgment' was also republished as 
the decision of the Genpral Assembly of the 
Presbyterian church in 1793. 

The second annunciation of the senti- 
ments of the Presbyterian church upon the 



subject of slavery, was made in the year 
1794, when the ' Scripture proofs,' notes, 
<Sic., were adopted by the General Assem- 
bly. Their doctrine at that period is stated 
in the iiote b, appended to the one hundred 
and forty-second Cluestion of the larger Cate- 
chism, in these words : 

' 1 Tim. i. 10. The law is made for man- 
stealers. This crime among the Jews ex- 
posed the perpetrators of it to capital pun- 
ishment, Exodus xxi. IG ; and the apostle 
here classes them with sinners of the first 
rank. The word he uses, in its original im- 
port, comprehends all who are concerned in 
bringing any of the human race into slave- 
ry, or in retaining them in it. Jiominum 
fures, qui servos vel liberos abducunt, reti- 
nent, vendunt, vel emunt. Stealers of men 
are all those who bring off slaves or free- 
men, and keep, sell, or buy them. To steal 
a freeman, says Grotius, is the highest kind 
of theft. In other instances, we only steal 
human property, but when we steal or retain 
men in slavery, we seize those who, in com- 
mon with ourselves, are constituted by the 
oriofinal grant, lords of the earth. Genesis 
i. 28. Vide Poli synopsin in loc' 

The subject was also introduced into the 
General Assembly, in 1795, but without 
any effect and without producing any im- 
pression. From that period, twenty years 
elapsed before man-stealing was again no- 
ticed in that ecclesiastical body. The fol- 
lowing extract is found in the Digest, page 
339 ; and it partially illustrates the views of 
those who constituted the majority of the 
Assembly at that period. 

Advire given by the Assembly, in relation to 
Slavery, in 1815. 

' The committee to which was committed 
the report of the committee to which the 
petition of some elders, who entertain con- 
scientious scruples on the subject of holding 
slaves, together with that of the Synod of 
Ohio, concerning the buying and selling of 
slaves had been referred, reported ; and 
their report being read and amended, was 
adopted, and is as follows : — 

'The General Assembly have repeatedly 
declared thfir cordial approbation of those 
principles of civil liberty which appear to be 
recognised by the Fefferal and State jjov- 
ernments, in tliese United States. They 
have expressed their regret that the slavery 
of the Africans and their descendants still 
continues in so many places, and even among 
those within the pale of the church ; and 
have urged the Presbyterians under their 
care, to adopt such measures as will secure 
at least to the rising generation of slaves, 
within the bounds of the church, a religious 
education; that they maybe prepared for 
the exercise and enjoyment of liberty, when 



Presbyterianism and Slavery. 



d, in his providence, may open a door for 
iir emancipation. Tiie committee refer 
d petitioners to the printed extracts of the 
nod of New York and Philadelphi;!, for 

year 1787, on this subject, republished 

the Assembly in 1793; and also to the 
tracts of the minutes of the Assembly for 
95; which last are in the following 
)rds : — 

' A serious and conscientious person, a 
mber of a Presbyterian congregation, 
10 views the slavery of the negroes as a 
ral evil, highly offensive to God, and inju- 
us to the interests of the gospel, lives un- 
rthe ministry of a person, or among a so- 
ty of people, who concur with huii in sen- 
lent on the subject upon general princi- 

s; yet, for particular reasons, hold SlaveL-:, 

d tolerate tlie practice in others, — Ouglit 

former of these persons, under the im- 

ssions and circumstances above describ- 
, to hold Christian communion with the 
ter?' 
' Whereupon, after due deliberation, it 

IS 

Resolved, That as the same difference of 
inion with respect to slavery takes place 
sundry other parts of the Presbyterian 
urch, notwithstanding which, they live in 
arity and peace, according to the doctrine 
d practice of the apostles ; it is horeby 
commended to all conscientious persons, 
d especially to those whom it immediately 
spects, to do the same. At the same time 
3 General Assembly assure all the church- 
under their care, that they view with the 
epest concern any vestiges of slavery 
tiich may exist in our country, and refer 
e churches to the records of the General 
ssembly, published at different times ; but 
pecially to an overture of the late Synod 
New-York and Philadelphia, published in 
'87, and republished among the extracts 
3m the minutes of the General Assembly 
' 1793, on that head, with which they trust 
ery conscientious person will be fully sat- 
fied. 

' This is deemed a sufficient answer to the 
St petition ; and with regard to the sec- 
id, the Assembly observe, that although in 
n3 se^'Aiin-! of our country, under certain 
rcumstances, the transfer of slaves may be 
lavoidable, yet they consider the buying 
id selling of slaves by way of trafSc, antl 
1 undue severity in the management of 
em, as inconsistent with the spirit of the 
■)spel. And they recommend it to the Pres- 
,'teries and Sessions under their care, to 
ake use of all prudent measures to prevent 
ich shameful and unrighteous conduct.' 
It is worthy of remembrance, that during 
10 debate upon the petitions referred to in 
le above unintelligible advice, the note sub- 
'ined to Question 142 of the larger Cate- 
liam was first publicly introduced upon the 



slavery question, in the General Assembly. 

The reading of it astonished all j)artics. 
The friends of equal rights and of (Jliristian 
truth were surprised that they had over-look- 
ed or forgotten so authoriltitive a testimony ; 
and the preaching slavites were exasperated 
with indignation, and immediately began to 
conspire together for the erasure of that 
note, and of the doctrine which it proclaims, 
from the standards of the Presbyterian 
church. 

The answer of the Synod to Ohio and the 
petitioning elders satisfied no persons; es- 
pecially as it did not encourage church olH- 
cers to fulfil their evangelically prescribed 
duty. It was opposed upon these principles : 
— Conscientious men cannot hold commun- 
ion with those who are always practising 
that evil which is 'highly offensive to God 
and injurious to the interests of the gospel.' 
'It was maintained that all the records of 
the General Assembly had been totally una- 
vailing ; that preachers, elders, and cimrcli 
members bought, sold, worked, starved and 
flayed their slaves as much, and even more 
grossly than their infidel and irreligious 
neighbors: and that to talk of living in 
Christian 'charity and peace ' with men who 
always exhibited a direct inconsistency with 
the spirit of the gospel, and who Avere ever 
truilty of 'shameful and unrighteous con- 
duct,' is voluntary delusion, and openly crim- 
inal. It was also avowed, that by the Con- 
fession of Faith, and the prior decisions of 
the General Assembly, every slaveholder 
who pretended to be a Christian, was a 
staunch In/pocrite, who ought de furio to be 
Gxclud"d from the church : and a protest to 
this effect against the preceding deceptive 
and two-faced declaration, was presented to 
the Assembly; every argument in which 
protest, the history of the subsequent nine- 
teen years has verified beyond dispute. 

One result of the above discussion was an 
exhibition of as extraordinary a specimen of 
ecclesiastical chicanery as probably can be 
found ill the annals of the Protestant church- 
es ; thereby proving tlie truth of Article III. 
Chapter 31, of their own Confession of 
Faith: 'AH Synods or Councils may err, 
and many have erred ; therefore they are 
not to be made the rule of faith nr practice.' 
Whether the decisions of the General As- 
sembly of 1816 ought to be a rule of faitli or 
practice, can be easily doterminod by a con- 
sideration of these two facts, in reference to 
slnvery. 

The following question was propounded 
for the decisionof that Assembly. ' Ought 
Baptism, on the profession and promise of 
the master, to be adminislcred to the children 
of slaves T A more complete iturlesque 
upon sound theological doctrine, and a more 
base desecration of a Christian ordinance 
can scarcelv be conceived. Wliat did the 



Presbi/kriamsm and Slaveri/. 



General Assenibly answer to this absurd in- 



quiry 



'It is tlie duty of masters wiio are mem- 
bers oftlie ciiurch to present the children of 
parents in servitude to the ordinance of Bap- 
tism. It is the duty of Christ's ministers to 
baptize all children of this description, when 
presented to them by their masters.' 

In other words, it is the duly of preaching 
slave-drivers to baptize the stolen children 
of American citizens upon the Christian pro- 
fession of the criminal, who lias kidnapped 
both the parents and their offspring! 

The second fact is still more outrageous. 
It is found in the 'Digest of the General 
Assembly,' page 12l), thus entitled : — 

^Resolutions in regard to the Scripture 
proofs and notes hj the Assemhlxj, in 181G.' 

' The Presbytery of Philadelphia proposed 
an inquiry to the Assembly " relative to the 
notes found in the book containing the Con- 
stitution of the Presbyterian church." To 
this demand the Assembly replied. The 
minute is extended to a considerable length, 
and contains a variety of other matter to- 
tally irrevclant to our present discussion. 
Those parts only are quoted which unfold 
their " mystery of iniquity." Speaking of 
the notes they thus announce : 

'These notes are no part of the constitu- 
tion. The notes which now appear in the 
book were approved by the General Assem- 
bly, and directed to be printed with the 
proofs in the form in which they now appear. 
These notes are explanatory of some of the 
principles of the Presbyterian church. The 
notes are of the same force while they con- 
tinue with the other acts of that judicature, 
but subject to alterations, amendments, or a 
total erasure, as they shall judge proper." 

Disregarding the flat contradictions in 
these sentences, it is only necessary to re- 
collect, that the notes are scarcely any thing 
else than texts of Scripture, with a very 
few concise explanations ; and yet accord- 
ing to that Assembly of 18K), they were au- 
thorized to alter, amend, or erase those notes, 
that is, 'the oracles of God,' as they judged 
proper. This was their anti-christian as- 
sumption ; now watch their act. 

No Christian will have the hardihood to 
contest the scriptural accuracy of the note 
to Question 142 of the larger Catechism. In 
truth, it is nothing more than a ^ew senten- 
ces, to show that the Lord's gift to man. at 
creation, is utterly abrogated bv that crime 
which the law ofMo-^es punished with death ; 
and which the apostle Paul enumerated with 
the most atrocious wickedness. Had that 
Assembly nuUiJied fifty or one hundred other 
notes, whatever migflit liave been thought of 
their piety, at least they would have been 
consistent. This was not their design, all 
their object was to erase that part of the 
^vord of God which denounces vicn-strnlers 



\and man-stealing. This was their decisi' 
omitting a clause which has no Conner 
with the subject of slavery : 

' Resolved, That as it belongs to the Ge 
eral Assembly to give directions in rega, 
to the notes which accompany the constit 
tion, this Assembly express it as their opii 
ion, that in printing future editions of tl 
Confession of this church ; — the note coi 
nected Avith the Scripture proofs in answi 
to the question in the larger Catechist 
" What is forbidden in the eight commani 
ment?" in which the nature of the crime 
men-stealing and slavery is dilated upon, 
omitted. In regard to this omission, the A 
sembly think proper to declare, thai in c 
recting it, they are influenced by far othi 
motives than any desire to favor slavery, 
to retard the extinction of that mournf 
evil, as speedily as may consist with the ha] 
piness of all concerned.' 

Upon this proceeding of the Assembly 
181G, it is only requisite to observe, that tl 
Assembly 'thought proper to declare' th 
which is notoriously untrue. Every perse 
who was present at the General AssembI 
of 1816, knows that the erasure of the abov 
note was done avowedly to ^ favor slaver 
and to retard the extinction of that mournf 
evil.'' The resolution was adopted express! 
to propitiate those confederated kidnapper 
who arc nominal Christians ; and also to n 
move an insurmountable barrier to the coi 
demnation of a minister, who, in his publ 
discourses had exhibited the total contradi 
tion between Christianity and man-stealinj; 
and maintained that every professor of r( 
ligion who is a slave-driver, is an open d( 
ceiver. Tliis most important topic was alt 
discussed in the General Assembly of 181/ 
and to prove the infallibility of Councils, the 
virtually decided in flat opposition to the 
predecessors of 181G, and also to their in 
mediate successors of 1818. 

It thus appears that the subject of Amer 
can slavery engaged the attention of th 
General assembly in different forms durin 
four years in succession, 18J5, 1810, 181' 
1818. Since which period the whole of th 
Presbyterian church have been sound aslee 
upon the 'highest kind of theft' — and whil 
the 'sinners of the first rank' have multipl 
ed and extended their man-stealing on ever 
side. Presbyteries, Synods, and General As 
semblies have been 'silent as death, an 
still as midniirht!' except when to gratit 
the Christians! who wish to transport t 
their own countni ! the ' feeble, diseaset 
aged, or worn out slaves,' they have ndopfe 
some two-tongued minute respecting th 
Colonization Society. 

Circumstances in 1818 imperiously re 
quired that the General Assembly of thn 
year should contrive some uiode to concea 
their erasure of their own Ion"' announce. 



Presbylcrianism and Slavery. 



eed of faith, and tlieir servile compliance 
ith the clamorous demands of the unusual 
»rde of men-stealers, who for special pur- 
ises of iniquity were gathered together on 
at occasion. 

The following article, except a kw imnia- 
rial omissions, was finally issued as their 
t. Having accomplished all their design, 
ider ecclesiastical forms, and witii the nom- 
al sanction of the whole Presbyterian 
lurch, the slavites tacitly permitted the en- 
ding phillipic to be placed upon the records, 
|id to be published to the world. They well 
iiew that by the southern churches it would 
;)t even be noticed, much less practised. 
;any Presbyterian ministers and myriads of 
[Gir members have never heard of the ex- 
;:ence of such a document — while among 
,6 eastern and northern churches, they only 
tended by it to blind their eyes to the true 
laracter and wickedness of slavery, and to 
lence their outcry and disquietude respect- 
g their being participants with their guilt, 
connivers at their man-stealing. Their 
iject has been attained. From that period, 
ose sinners have pursued their man-thiev- 
g with additional alacrity, and to jin indefi- 
te extent; and the churches, until very re- 
mtly, have scarcely noticed their increased 
id continually aggravating tmpitudc. Nev- 
•theless, the General Assembly of 1818 
us unequivocally execrated slavery, and all 
3 adherents. At the same time they most 
iminally then acknowledged, as they still 
) admit, these flagrant transgressors to 
eir communion, and to fill every oflice in 
eir churches. This act is found in the 
Digest of the General Assembly,' page 341. 
k\v unimportant sentences only being 
nitted. 

i full expression of the AssemUifs views of 
Slavery in 1818. 

' The general Assembly of the Presbyte- 
an church, having taken into consideration 
le subject of slavery, think proper to make 
lown their sentiments upon it. 
'We consider the voluntary enslaving of 
le part of the human race by another, as a 
•oss violation of the most precious -and sa- 
ed rights of human nature ; as utterly in- 
msistent with the law of God, which re- 
tires us to love our neighbor as ourselves ; 
id as totally irreconcilable with the spirit 
id principles of the gospel of Christ, which 
ijoin that all things whatsoever ye would 
at men should do to you, do ye even so to 
em.' Slavery creates a paradox in the 
oral system — it exhibits rational, accounta- 
e, and immortal beings in such circum- 
ances as scarcely to leave them the power 
'moral action. It exhibits them as depend- 
it on the will of others, whether they shall 
ceive religious instruction : whether they 



shall know and worship the true God ; wheth- 
er they shall enjoy the ordinances of the gos- 
pel ; whether they shall perform the duties 
and cherish the endearments of husbands 
and \vives, parents and children, neighbors 
and friends; whether they shall preserve 
tlieir chastity and purity, or regard the dic- 
tates of justice and humanity. Such are 
some of the consequences of slavery ; con- 
sequences not imaginary, but which connect 
themselves with its very existence. The 
evils to which the slave is always exposed, 
often take place in their very irorst degree 
and form; and Avhere all of them do not 
take place, still the slave is deprived of his 
natural riffhls, degraded as a human being, 
and exposed to the danger of passing into 
the hands of a master who may inflict upon 
him all the hardships and injuries which in- 
humanity and avarice may suggest. 

' From this view of the consequences re- 
sulting from the practice into which Chris- 
tian people have most inconsistently fallen, 
of enslaving a portion of their brethren of 
mankind, it is manifestly the duty of all 
Christians, when the inconsistency of slavery 
with the dictates of humanity and religion 
has been demonstratetl, and is generally 
seen ai!d acknowledged, to use their Jioncst, 
("arnesr, and unwearied endeavors, as .^-pcedi- 
ly MS possible to cff'ace this blot on our holy 
religion, and to obtain the complete abolition 
of slavery throughout the world. "We earn- 
estly exhort them," the slaveholders, " to 
continue and to increase their exertions to 
effect a total abolition of slavery. — We ex- 
hort them to suffer no greater delay to take 
place in this most interesting concern, than 
a regard to the public welfare truly and in- 
dispensably demands. 

' As our country has inflicted a most griev- 
ous injury on the unhappy Africans by bring- 
ing them into slavery, our country ought to 
be governed in this matter by no other con- 
sideration than an honest and impartial re- 
gard to the happiness of the injured party, 
uninfluenced by the expense or inconven- 
ience which such a regard may involve. We 
therefore warn all who belong to our denom- 
ination of Christians, against unduly extend- 
ing this plea of necessity ; against making it 
a cover for the love and practice of slavery, 
or a pretence for not using etforts that are 
lawful and practicable to extinguish the evil. 

'Having thus expressed our views on 
slavery, and of the duty indispensably in- 
cumbent on all Christians to labor for its 
complete extinction, we proceed to recom- 
mend, with all the earnestness and solemni- 
ty which this momentous subject demands, a 
particular attention to the following points. 

' We recommend to all the members of 
our religious denomination, to facilitate and 
encourage the instruction of their slaves in 
the principles and duties of the Christian re- 



Preshyterianism and Slavery. 



ligion, by granting them liberty to attend on 
the preaching of tlie gospel ; by favoring the 
instruction of tliem in Sabbath Sciiools, and 
by giving tlieni all other proper advantages 
for acquiring the knowledge of their duty 
both to God and man. It is incumbent on all 
Ciiristians to communicate religious instruc- 
tion to tliose who are under their authority, 
and the doing of this in the case before us, 
so far from operating, as some have appre- 
hended that it might, as an excitement to in- 
subordination and insurrection, would ope- 
rate as the most powerful means for the pre- 
vention of those evils.' 

The Assembly here subjoin a note, which 
proves that the quietude of the island of An- 
tigua, when the slaves of the neighboring 
West India islands had been in commotion, 
■was owing to the religious instruction of 
the Moravian missionaries. To which may 
since bo added, the examples of Demarara 
and Jamaica. This document of the Assem- 
bly is thus closed : ' We enjoin it on all 
church Sessions and Presbyteries to dis- 
countenance, and as far as possible to pre- 
vent all cruelty, of whatever kind, in the 
treatment of slaves; especially the cruelty of 
separating husband and wife, parents and 
children; and that which consists in selling 
slaves to those who will either themselves 
deprive those unhappy people of the bless- 
ings of the gospel, or who will transport 
them to places w^here the gospel is not pro- 
claimed, or where it is forbidden to slaves to 
attend upon its institutions. The manifest 
violation or disregard of this injunction, 
ougiit to be considered as just ground for 
the discipline and censures of the church. 
And if it shall ever happen that a Christian 
professor in our communion shall sell a slave 
Avho is also in communion witii our church, 
contrary to his or her will and inclination, it 
ought immediately to claim tiie particular at- 
tention of the proper church judicature ; and 
unless there be such peculiar circumstances 
attending the case as can but seldom happen, 
it ought to be followed -without delay, by a 
suspension of the offender from all the privi- 
leges of the church, till he repent and make 
all the reparation in his power, to the injured 
party.' 

This is the last formal act of the General 
Assembly of the Presbyterian church upon 
the subject of slavery— and it contains the 
essence in smoother language, of all that the 
anti-slavery fanatics have evcrpromul"-ed. 

Tliat ecclesiastical body proclaims, that 
slavery frrnssly violates the 7nost ■precious 
human rio-fifs ; that it is uilorbi inconsistent 
with lite law of VoJ, of brotherly lovr, and 
reciprocal equity ; that "it is totally irreconcil- 
able ivith the spirit and principles of the gos- 
pel of Christ ; that it leaves the slaves with- 
out the power of moral action ; that s/«i'es 
are deprived of their natural rights, def^raded 



as hu77ian beings, exposed to all the hardshl "^^ 
and injuries ivhich inhumanity and avari '! 
may suggest; that loithout these fright} '' 
evils, slavery cannot exist ; and that thei 
direful effects of man-stealing are expei '^' 
enced by the slaves in their very worst d ^' 
gree and form. '■ 

This appalling delineation of slavery wi '' ' 
not made by 'reckless incendiaries, foul c " 
lumniators, blood-thirsty cut-throats, at "' 
rabid agitators,' as Presbyterian ministe 'i' 
and elders have characterized some of tl f"! 
most noble philanthropists in this repubU( 
but this is the picture of slavery drawn by ')' 
body, of which the preaching slaveholde *; 
directed and controlled every movement ai ''■ 
resolution. Such is their theory of slaver ''' 
what is the infernal system in practice, a "' 
cording to those slave-driving narrators ? P^' 

The slaves e?j/o?/ no instruction; are prP 
hibited from all relative endearments ; cann "'' 
preserve their personal purity and honoi '"^ 
realize all kinds of cruelty ; are lawless i"? 
separated from all their congenial and h *'' 
loved companions, the association with who »'' 
was the sole relief for their constant wretc, '"^ 
edness ; and are trafficked icithout remon 'f' 
only to suffer additional anguish. And '" 
crown this whole mass of iniquity, we a; ^" 
oracularly assured, that Christian professo «" 
sell as slaves Members of the Church, un "' 
the most woful bondage I f«r 

This is not a catalogue of slaveholdei '* 
crimes drawn out by 'visionary enthusiast Ifi 
wild fanatics, sly malignant hypocrites, ai ■ 
mischievous incendiaries,' as the defende * 
of the New-York mob, and their infidel mi 'k 
ions described the only consistent friends T 
freedom, of the rights of man, and of Chri ''^ 
tianity ; but these are the atrocities of slav ^ 
ry avowed by clerical slaveholders to exte: f' 
uate human bondage, to cloak over their ow w 
ungodliness ; and by this farce of recordii ^' 
a stigma upon slavery on their minutes, « 
termmate the uneasiness and denunciatioi '*i 
of the Northern and Eastern Christians. ?' 

After sixteen years have revolved, wh i" 
has been done ? What Presbyterian pr 'li 
fessor has used his ' earnest and unwearif '■'■■ 
endeavors to efface this blot on our holy r ^"'' 
ligion?' Where is that 'most virtuous pa !«■ 
of the community' of slave-drivers who 'a if 
hor slavery, and Avish its extermination,' wj ^ 
have increased their exertions to effect a t K 
tal abolition of slavery ? Where is tl »: 
preaching or nominal Christian man-thi( if" 
who is not always ' extending the plea «!r 
necessity as a cover for the love and pra ts 
ticc of slavery, and a pretence for not usir f 
efforts to extinguish the evil ?' Where is tl '^ 
Presbyterian preacher, elder, or professt »ii 
who encourages ' the instruction of slavi rf' 
in the principles and duties of the Christii h 
religion,' as the Lord and his apostles taug h 
the word of truth ? There is scarcely such till 



Pnshijlcr'umis7n and Slavery. 



man between Washington and tlic Carib- 
bean gulf, or the Atlantic and Mexico, south 
of the Potomac and the Oliio. 

Wliere is there a iSabbath school for the 
colored citizens ? Not an oral school, siicii 
as the slave-driving deceivers have contrived 
fto conceal tlieir turpitude, and blind the 
[jnorthern citizens; but a Sabbath school si- 
imilar to those in almost every congregation 
jir. New- York or Massachusetts? In this re- 
jtspect IcHABoo is written upon that entire 
jportion of the United States. 
j Where are the church Sessions or Pres- 
byteries, who dare to call before them men 
i^'hose every act is one unceasing round of 
^11 multiform cruelty to slaves? Do not pro- 
(fessors now sell Christian slaves to Georgia 
jor Louisiana in preference, because their su- 
perior excellence, and their religious princi- 
iples procure a higher price even from the 
icitizvn pedlar, who in 'his trade of blood ' 
jroams from New^York to Milledgeville, buy- 
ling slaves, when he cannot kidnap freemen, 
jRud transforming every district through 
(Which he passes, into a scene of mouriung 
jUnd wo, in its ntoral attributes a:id agonized 
isensibilities, the civil warfare only excepted, 
jtlio exact counterpart of that African Jlccl- 
Ideinit, whence the colored people were orig- 
inally stolen ? Where is tliat church Session, 
|or that Presbytery who will cite the most in- 
ifuriated and nualignant slave-driver to an- 
jSwer for his hellish cruelty or his piratical 
traffic? Where ? 

Since the unanimous adoption of the pre- 
ceding ' full expression of the Assembly's 
Views of slavery, inldlS'' — the only case 
approximating to it, is that of John D. Pax- 
ton in Virginia ; who several years ago ful- 
nllcd the Assembly's requirements; instruct- 
ed his slaves and then emanci])ated them : 
[for which philanthropy he was calumniated 
as vilely as if he had been a horse-thief, by 
all the men-stcaiing professors around him ; 
and speedily coerced to abandon the con- 
gregation before whom he had acted such a 
noble example of Christian benevolence. 
Mark the contrast ! John D. Paxton, for 
complying with the recommendation of the 
iGeneral Assembly, was driven from his pas- 
toral charge amid universal hatred ; and the 
iRichmond slave-catching preacher, who hnr- 
,ried away three hundred miles distance to 
ikidknap a colored girl, not only escaped with 
impunity, but he is justified and honored, 
because ho is a brazen-faced, obdurate 'sin- 
iHer of the first rank, and guilty of the high- 
lest kind of theft.' 

Prom a secret of a portentous character, 
which has lately been disclosed, it is also 
manifest that there is no design on the part 
of those who contrive to govern all the os- 
tensible proceedings of the General Asscm- 
jbly of the Presbyterian church, and thereby 
af that whole denomination, to interfere with 



the question of slavery upon evangelical 
principles. 

A person on behalf of a slaveholder, ad- 
dressed tiie tbllowing letter to the editor of 
llie Phdudcli)hian — and as a supplement to 
the preceding documents, to sliow the utter 
discrepancy between good professions and 
evil practices, the article, a little abridged, is 
extracted from the Philadeli)liian of the 2;Jd 
of January, 15^34. Its contradictory tenets 
and mis-sutements require no elucidation. 



QUESTIONS ON SLAVERY. 

'I have lately received a letter from a com- 
municant of the Presbyterian churcli in 
South Carolina, who is the owner of a num- 
ber of slaves which comprise the principal 
part of his estate, and of which he become 
possessed, partly by inheritance, and partly 
by marriage. He says the Cicneral Assem- 
bly have repeatedly declared that the hold- 
ing of slaves is inconsistent with the spirit 
of thegospck And althongli he feels anxious 
to regulate his course of life according to the 
Principles of Christianity, and the rules of 
the church to which he belongs, yet he can- 
not think that pure justice would require of 
him to set his slaves at liberty, and reduce 
his own family to beggary and ruin. Even 
though he were disposed so to act, the laws 
of his native state forbid his setting his slaves 
at liberty, unless they are sent out of its ju- 
risdiction. Humanity would, in such a case, 
also require a temporary provision for them, 
after they were set at liberty. 

The General Assembly have also declar- 
ed, that v/here any member of the church 
holds slaves, it is his imperative duty to give 
them sufficient education to enable them to 
become good and peaceable citizens, and to 
have them instructed in the way of the Lord 
Jesus Christ. 

Now the laws of hi? own state, and those 
of Georgia, in which part of his estate lies, 
prohibit, Under severe penalties, the instruc- 
tion of slaves. 

Here again, my friend 'is at fault.' His 
conscience and the rules of the church di- 
rect Iiiin to have him instructed. But if he 
do so he subjects himself tx) a prosecution 
under the laws of the state in which he lives. 

He would fain know what he shall do. If 
he sets his slaves at liberty— he obeys the 
rules of the church, but violates the laws of 
his state, and reduces himself and family to 
berr"'ary. If he obeys the laws of his state, 
and'prohibits their instruction, ho violates 
the rules, and subjects himself to the censure 
of the church and acts contrary to the dic- 
tates of his conscience. 

An answer is solicited through 'The Phi- 

ladelphian.' 

Howard. 



10 



Methodism and Slavery. 



REPLY TO HOWARD. 

Your friend and his family must turn day- 
laborers, cam their own bread by the sweat 
of their brow, become poor, beg, starve, or 
be crucified, rather than commit any one 
known sin. Ttie certainty of impoverishing 
himself is no e.\cuse for not freeing ins 
slaves, if it is his duty to free them. 

Tlie General Assembly has ever acted in 
relation to this business ; in resisting all the 
violent movements of absolute, immediate, 
universal and unconditional abolitionists. 

To the last Assembly were sent an over- 
ture and a bundle of pamphlets for distribu- 
tion, designed to show that every slaveholder 
ou"fht to be excommunicated from the Pres- 
byterian church : the overture was excluded 
from the house by the Committee of Bills, 
and the pamphlets were used as waste 
paper. 

He who steals a man and makes him a 
slave is one of the worst of thieves and op- 
pressors. 

He who purchases a man thus enslaved is 
as ffreat a criminal as the man-stealer. 

Those who originated ttie system of slave- 
ry in our country, and those who perpetuate 
it, fall under the same condemnation. 

It would be very just for the laws of the 
several states to subject slave'traders to 
punisiiment. 

A man may inherit the relation of master 
to slaves, or he may become tlius reljited to 
slaves inherited, or previously possessed by 
his wife. 

In this case he should act the part of a 
friend, a patron, a father to these slaves ; and 
should strictly compensate them for their la- 
bor according to their earnings, and his abil- 
ity. If his slaves choose to be free from 
him, and can effect their freedom by remov- 
ing from him, he should rather rejoice in it, 
than remove a linger to prevent them from 
obtaining their emancipation. 

The laws of those states which forbid any 
man to emancipiite or to instruct his slaves, 
are contrary to the laws of God, and the 
rights of man ; and should bo, in every con- 
stitutional way, resisted, and in every safe 
way evaded. 

A person who has inherited the relation of 
master to slaves has no right to sell them to 
another without their consent. He should 
treat them as hired servants. The general 
law of benevolence requires all men to take 
all reasonable measures for banishing slavery 
from the world. 

The political, civil, pecuniary, and relig- 
ious interests of our country would all be 
promoted by converting every slave into a 
well instructed, industrious free laborer. As 
patriots and Christians, all American citizens 
ought to desire and promote the elevation, 
and final emancipation of all colored people.' 



Two points are worthy of peculiai' t\bik 
in this reply by the stated clerk of the Gcj 
eral Asse-mbly of the Presbyterian church. 
He is as ' wild afcmatic,' and as ' rabid an a< 
itator' as the abolitionist whom he condemn; 
for he declares that all those who originate 
and who perpetuate slavery, are ' Tii 
WORST OF THIEVES !' Tliis iiicludcs all t! 
doctrine and requirements of the 'absolut 
immediate, universal and unconditional ab 
lilionists.' We only assert, that the icorst 
all thejl ought not to be tolerated one m 
ment, and that ' the tcorst of nil thieve, 
ought instantly to be impeded from perp 
trating their outrageous felonies. 2. T' 
stated clerk also ojjicially informs as, that : 
overture was sent to the General Assemb 
respecting slavery which was excluded fro 
that body by the Committee of Bills. '. 
other words, they determined not to ful 
their own enactments. By what right aij 
authority a bundle of pamphlets sent for dij 
tribution among the members of the Generi 
Assembly, as every individual's own and eJ 
elusive possession, were withheld from the 
by the moderator and clerks, is utterly inco 
ceivable. Those pamphlets belonged to tl 
ministers and ciders alone, for whose perus 
they were kindly transmitted ; and no mr 
but the confederates of * the worst of t 
thieves ." would have dared thus to purlo 
the property of others ; by clandestinely d 
taining pamphlets sent lor the use of tl 
members of the General Assembly fro 
their rightful owners, and by using for was 
paper the offering of Christian affection. 

From this authentic survey of the Pre 
byterian doctrines upon slavery, when cor 
pared with their total abrogation of them 
practice, every person must instantly disce 
the hypocritical inconsistency which h 
marked the course of that church durir 
nearly fifty years; and the eff'rontory whit 
all ^Presbyterian .slaveholders display, wl 
deceitfully profess to be Christians, not on 
in direct contradiction to the gospel of J 
sus, but also in profound contempt and de: 
ance of their own pretended and solemn 
avowed creed of faith I 



METHODISM AND SLAVERY. 

The volume entitled 'the Doctrine m 
Discipline of the Methodist Episcop 
Church' is always referred to as the stani 
ard book which contains 'the form of disc 
pline, the articles of religion, and canons o 
the Methodist Societies in the United Stnte 
In the ensuing review, wo have compare 
two editions published by themselves, ar 
regularly attested by their bishops; that ' 
the year 1804, and of the year 1832. W 
mention this fact, because the disagreeme] 
between them probably is not known to or 



Methodism and Slavery. 



11 



Jtliotlist out of a thousand, the preachers 
i3m.soIves included ; and because it will 
)ve that slavery contains Hhe vilest ini(jui- 
j the loorsl of vices and wickedness, and a 
and imposture ; for it is one great lie, one 
and cheat. 

Both editions contain this unequivocal 
.teinent. ' There is only one condition 
i3viously required of those who desire ad- 
ission into these societies, a desire to flee 
m the wrath to come, and to be saved 
m their sins. But wherever this is really 
^ed in the soul, it will be shown by its 
jiits. It is therefore expected of all who 
ntinue therein, that they should continue 
[evidence their desire of salvation, by doiu^r 
I: harm, by avoiding evil of every kind, es- 
jcially that which is most generally ])rac- 
led, such as — ' the bw/his; and selling of 
pi, ivomen or children, with an intention to 
filave them.'' 

jFrom this doctrine it follows ; that the 
bthodist Episcopal Church do formally 
iDw, that no slaveholders ever did evan- 
ilically desire to ' flee from the wrath to 
jme, and to be saved from their sins.' Thus 
; Presbyterian Assemblies and the Meth- 
ist Conferences exactly agree in the ah- 
tact. The former declare, that all slave- 
Iders are ' sinners of the first rank, and 
iilty of the highest kind of theft' — and the 
jter affirm, that from his sins he never liad 
llesire to be saved. Now, no anti-slavery 
jin ever uttered truth in stronger language 
[in these ecclesiastical denouncers of the 
iiveholding confederacy. 
[The last article in both editions is entitled, 

SLAVERY ; and the question is the same 
both books. 

' Question. — What shall be done for the 
tirpation of the evil of slavery ? 
Answer 1. — We declare that we are as 
ich as ever convinced of the great evil of 
ivery ; therefore no slaveholder shall be 
gible to any official station in our church 
reafter; where the laws of tlie state in 
iiich he lives will admit of emancipation, 
id permit the liberated slave to enjoy free- 
m.' 

Thi? clause is from the edition of 1832 ; 
d is much more concisely expressed than 
the edition of 1804 ; where they tell us 
r the twelfth time, as it is the twelfth edi- 
)n of their Articles and Discipline, that 
ey ' are as much as ever convinced of the 
eat evil of slaverij.^ But it may properly 

asked, how much are they convinced ? 
or the number of slaveholders has been 
ntinually multiplying in the Methodist 
urches from their first Conference, about 
ty years ago, to the present day. They 
e convinced of the evil of slavery, declare 
ery slaveholder an impenitent, unredeom- 
[ sinner; and nevertheless they sanction 
e evil which he comojits, by acknowledg- 



ing him to be a Christian. What mockery 
can transcend this insulting delusion? 

The second clause is alike in both edi- 
tions. 

' Answer 2. — When any travelling preach- 
er becomes an owner of a slave or slaves, 
by any means, he shall forfeit iiis ministerial 
character in our church, unless he execute, 
if it be practicable, a legal emancipation of 
such slaves, conformably to the laws of the 
state in which he lives.' This regulation 
reads very well upon paper, but no man ever 
seriously believed that the requisition would 
be carried into execution. In the edition of 
1804, the third clause thus reads: — 

' Answer 3. — No slaveholder shall be re- 
ceived into full membership in our society, 
till llie preacher who has the oversight of tlio 
circuit lias spoken to him freely and faithl'ul- 
ly on the subject of slavery .'J 

Examine this point! If tlic preacher 
spoke to the slave-driver 'freely and faith- 
fully,' he must talk in this edifying manner: 
' Brother! you are a great sinner: you have 
caught in your man-trap men, women, and 
cliildron with an intention to enslave them. 
You are yet in your sins, from which you 
never desired to be saved, and you are going 
to the wrath to come, from which you have 
never desired to flee. We have no fault to 
allege against you, except that you arc a 
man-stcaler, a sinner of the first rank, and 
guilty of the highest kind of theft; the great 
evil of which we are convinced of as much 
as ever. Therefore we shall receive you as 
a good and acceptable member I' Had any 
remark been made at the admission of a can- 
didate, it must have been in this exemplary 
and consistent style : but nothing was ever 
said upon the subject. The Methodist Con- 
ferences do not bar out those who wish to 
join their church, merely because they en- 
slave colored citizens. That third clause, as 
it was a dead letter in practice, afterward was 
expunged, as useless and impracticable. Jn 
the edition of 1832 it is not inserted. This 
is wondrous ecclesiastical infallibility ! which 
asserts truth for the twelfth time in 1804; 
and in 1 832 obliterates it, because the preach- 
ing gospel doctrine is inexpedient, and costs 
too much ! Thus, after their way, they serve 
God and mammon! 

The third clause in the edition of 1832 is 
not inserted in that of 1804. 

'Answer 3.— All our preachers shall pru- 
dently enforce upon our members the neces- 
sity of teaching their slaves to read the word 
of God ; and t"o allow them time to attend 
upon the public worship of God on our regu- 
lar days of divine service.' Slave-drivers 
teach slaves to read the word of God ; and 
to attend public worship I and preachers en- 
force these things prudently ! Yes ; they do 
it wn/ prudently ; that is, they are as earn- 
est and clamorous for the melioration of the 



12 



Methodism and Slavery. 



■nrretclic J condition of tlie colored ciiizens, as 
the walohinen and sliepherds who are de- 
scribed by the propliet, Isaiah Ivi. 10, 11. 

In the edition of 1839— the foiirtli and 
fiftii clauses contain regulations concerning- 
th« colored preachers, which are of no im- 
portance in this suuuuary. Tliey are not 
found in the edition of 1804. But in the 
volume issued thirty years ago, the fourth 
and tifth clauses combine some important il- 
lustrations of slavery in its connection with 
the Christian church. Inefficient as they 
were in practice, yet they had a show of 
conscience remaining in tlie Methodist Con- 
ferences; but they have been erased. The 
rules could not be enforced : and the absur- 
dity of adopting different principles of reli- 
gious legislation, bounded by geographical 
lines, is so glaring, that as they would not 
execute the law of the Lord in reference to 
slavery, they thought it most advisable to 
remove every barrier, and admit the slave- 
drivers into their ciiurch, without either scru- 
ple or obstruction. 

These are the two clauses which have 
been obliterated : 

'Answer 4. — Every member of the soci- 
ety who sells a slave, except at the request 
of the slave, in cases of necessity and hu- 
manity, agreeably to the judgment of a com- 
mittee of the male members of the society, 
shall immediately be expelled the society. 
And if any member purchase a slave, the 
ensuing quarterly Conference shall deter- 
mine on the number of years which the slave 
shall serve to work out the price of his pur- 
chase. And the person so purchasing, shall 
execute a legal instrument for the manumis- 
sion of such slave, at the expiration of the 
term determined by the quart'M-ly meeting 
Conference; and in default, such member 
shall be excluded the Society.' To these 
rules were added two items — that 'in the 
case of a female slave, all her children also 
should be free, the girls at 21, and the boys 
at 25; and that all terms of emancipation 
should be subject to the decision of the quar- 
terly Conference.' The answer closed in 
these memorable words: ' Nevertheless, the 
memher.i of our societies in the states of .YortJi 
Carolina, Smith Carolina, Georgia, and Ten- 
nessee, shall be exempted from the operation 
of the above rules.'' According to this occle- 
siastica! oracle, what is heinous sin in Mary- 
land is paradisaical innocence in Georgia; 
and an excommunicated man-stealer in the 
Shenandoah valley of Virginia, as soon as he 
can cross the Alleghany mountain to the 
South-west, becomes ' a good and acceptable 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church.' 
This last vestige, however, of decorum, for 
consistency's sake, after the example of their 
Presbyterian accomplices in the slave-trade, 
the Methodist preachers very properly blot- 
ted out of their discipline. 



The following was the fifth clause in the 
edition of 1804, but by what process so ex- 
quisite a specimen of carnal policy was omit- 
ted, is unaccountable; unless the noithern 
preaciiers in tlie General Conference resolv- 
ed, that if that part which bore some resem- 
blance of partial rectitude was effaced, the 
rule which carried the broad brand of knave- 
ry and anti-christianity upon its face should 
accompany it to the sepulchre of oblivion. 

The Southern Methodists must have exult- 
ed, when they contrived to procure this ex- 
quisitely edifying specimen of evangelical 
instruction to be enacted as obligatory upon 
all their travelling preachers. It is a mar- 
vellous perversion of the ministerial office, 
and of gospel reciprocity ! 

' Answer 5. — Let our preachers from time 
to time, as occasion serves, admonish and 
exhort all slaves to render due respect and 
obedience to the commands and interests ol 
their respective masters.' To the influence 
of this direction, may doubtless be imputed 
a large proportion of that ungodliness which 
debases and curses the whole mass of soci- 
ety where slavery devclopes its demoralizing 
power. The female slaves are exhorted td 
obey the commands of their masters ! 

These extracts are cited from their book 
of doctrines and discipline ; and yet where 
can you find a parallel to such duplicity and 
abandonment of truth, rectitude and reli- 
gion, as in these facts ? unless among their 
counterparts in similar deceitfulness upon 
the subject of slavery, the General Assem- 
blies of the Presbyterian church. 

This remarkable inconsistency and dere- 
liction of principle and duty are aggravated 
by other collateral circumstances in the his- 
tory of American Methodism. John Wes- 
i.F.Y, of u-honi they boast as the Head and 
Founder, teas a most decided anti-slavery man. 
lie opposed slaveholding in all its fbrms, 
degrees, and exhibitions. His testimony 
against it remains in all their books, and has 
been issued in the recent editions of his 
works, and formerly also as a tract ; and yet 
through the artifices of the slave-drivers, the 
opinions of John Wesley are not more 
known or believed among the Methodists 
than if he had never lifted up his voice like 
a trumpet. There is little doubt that had 
John Wesley's life been prolonged, slavery 
would have been altogether proscribed by 
the American ]\Iethodists : and even that 
auspicious fact for the church and the repub- 
lic miofht have occurred, had not another ob- 
struction been interposed. 

Thomas Coke, who was John Wesley's 
successor in authority and influence, espe- 
cially in America, was a most inveterate op- 
ponent_of slavery — and in consequence, he' 
received, especially on his last visit to the 
United States, such marked contempt and 
scornful insults from the slave-driving Meth- 



John JVtsleifs Thovghls on Slavery. 



13 



adists, who he perceived were encouraged 
by tliat spirit of Diotreplics, which in all 
thin<rs will have the pre-eminence, that he 
tacitly resolved no more to interfere with 
American Methodism. He hade farewell to 
his intimate friends, with tiie full conviction 
that they should meet no more in America. 
Coke's opposition to man-stealing, with his 
caustic denunciations of the hypocritical 
slavites who pretended to be Christians, were 
strongly contrasted with the two-tongued 
compromisers who faced both ways, con- 
demned slavery 'prudentlij^ at tlie North, 
and pleading expediency, approved of it in 
the South. Coke disappeared, and man- 
stealing was embodied with the Methodist 
church, where it has 'grown with its growth, 
and strengthened with its strength,' until 
the official organs of their Conferences either 
conceal the iiorrors of slavery, or defend its 
corruption by perverting tiie Scriptures, or 
revile all those sincere Christian philanthro- 
pists who are striving for its abolition. 

The ensuing extracts clearly uiirold the 
glaring inconsistency of the IMethodists ; 
who, while they profess tobowdown to John 
Wesley as their earthly oracle, on the most 
important topic in our civil and ecclesiasti- 
cal polity, have ever acted in direct and fla- 
grant contradiction to the irrefutable truths 
which he promulged. John Wesley al- 
ways denounced the existing slavery in 
America as equally criminal with the mari- 
time slave-trade, or the kidnapping and the 
transportation of Africans from Congo across 
the Atlantic for interminable bondage and 
misery. 

John Wesley was also an eye-witness of 
slavery as it existed in Carolina and Geor- 
gia, at a very early period after the settle- 
ment of those colonies. Consequently, the 
decisions of the Founder of Metiiodism may 
be received as of great weight and import- 
ance in this exciting controversy, between 
the sons of God and the servants of mam- 
mon. 

In the third volume of his works, page 341, 
Harper's edition, is the following puntrent 
delineation. John Wesley had been read- 
ing a pamphlet against slavery and the slave- 
trade ; and after expressing his opinion of 
the work, he thus proceeds : — ' That execra- 
ble sum of all villanies, commonly called the 
slave-trade. I read of nothing like it in the 
heathen world, whether ancient or modern. 
It infinitely exceeds in every instance of bar- 
barity, whatever Christian slaves suffer in 
Mohammedan countries.' 

The same sentiments were prom.ulged 
by John Wesley in reference to domestic 
slavery, as to the piratical traffic between 
Africa and America; but whenever the opin- 
ions and directions of that Methodist Leader 
are advanced on behalf of the abolition of 
that unjrodliness among the slaveholders ; 



the pretended respect for him is instantly di- 
minished almost to a nonentity, and he is pro- 
nounced to have been but u man, fallible, 
and in this matter so ignorant of ttie true 
circumstances relative to American slavery, 
thai his judgment is of no value, and tiiere- 
fore must be rejected. 

Another of John Wesley's incidental il- 
lustrations of slavery is I'rom his Journal for 
April, 1777. 'At Liverpool, many large ships 
are now laid up in the docks, wjiich had been 
employed for many years in buying or steal- 
ing Africans, and selling them in America 
fur slaves. The min-bitlclurs have now 
nothing to do at this hiiuUthle occupation. 
Since the American war broke out, there is 
no demand for human calllc ; so the men of 
Africa, as well as Europe, may enjoy their 
native liberty.' These cursory expressions 
fully unfo'.d John Wesley's indignation 
against slavery and slaveholders. When the 
])ublic mind began to be excited upon the 
atrocity of man-stealing, Wesley issued the 
following comprehensive tract, v.-hich great- 
ly influenced the English Methodists at that 
jieriod, and which has more recently contri- 
buted to effect the abolition of slavery in the 
British is'lands in the West Indies. By its 
republication, Avith some unimportant omis- 
sions, and by the substitution of a few words 
to adapt the paragraphs to existing slave- 
holders, it is proposed to convince American 
Methodists, and other citizens, who are guilty 
of the enormous sin of 'buying, selling, and 
enslaving men, women, and children. 

THOUGHTS ON SLAVERY, 

15V JOHN WESI.EV. 

'L Slavery imports an obligation of per- 
petual service ; an obligation which only tho 
consent of the master can dissolve. It gen- 
erally gives the master an arbitrary power 
of any correction not affecting life or limb. 
Sometimes they are exposed to his will, or 
protected oidy by a fine or some slight pun- 
ishment, too inconsiderable to restrain a 
master of harsh temper. It creates an in- 
capacity of acquiring any thing, except for 
tlie master's benefit. It allows the master 
to alienate the slave in the same manner as 
his cows and horses. Lastly, it descends in 
its full extent, from parent to child, even to 
the last generation. 

'2. The slavc-fmde began in tho year 
1508, when the Portusnese imported the first 
netn-oes into Ilispaniola. In ir>4(). Charles 
v.,"" then king of Spain, gave positnMi or- 
ders, "THAT ALL THE SLAVES I.N THE SPAN- 
ISH DOMINIONS SllOL-LD BE SET FREE. 

This was accordinirlv done by Lagascar, 
whom he sent and empowered to free them 
ail. But soon after Lagascar returned to 
g pain, slavery flourished as before. After- 



14 



John Jf'eslei/^s Thoughts on Slaverij. 



ward otiier nations, as tliey acquired pos- 
sessions in America, followed tiie example 
of the Spaniards ; and slavery has taken 
deep root in most of the American colonies. 

'11. In what manner are they generally 
procured and treated in America ? 

' 1. Part of tliem by fraud. Captains of 
ships invited negroes on board, and then 
carried them away. More have been pro- 
cured by force. The Christians, so called, 
landing upon their coasts, seized as many as 
they found and transported them to Amer- 
ica. 

'2. It was some time before the Euro- 
peans found a more compendious way of 
l)rocuring African slaves, by prevailing upon 
them to make war upon each other, and to 
sell their prisoners- Till then, they seldom 
had any wars. iJut the white men taught 
them drunkenness and avarice, then hired 
them to sell one another. Others are stolen. 
Abundance of little ones of both sexes are 
stolen away by their neighbors. That their 
own parents sell them, is utterly false. — 
Whites, >'ot blacks, are without nat- 
ural AFFECTION. 

'3. Extract from the journal of a sur- 
geon who went from New- York in the slave- 
trade. "'The commander of the vessel sent 
to acquaint the king that he wanted a cargo 
of slaves. Some time after, the king sent 
him word he had not yet met with tlie de- 
sired success. A battle was fought which 
lasted three days. Four thousand five hun- 
<lred men were slain upon the spot!" Such 
is the manner wherein the slaves are procur- 
ed ! Thus the Christians preach the 
Gospel to the Heathen! 

'4. England supplies her American colo- 
nies with slaves, amounting to about a hun- 
dred thousand every year. So many are 
taken aboard the ships ; but ten thousand die 
on the voyage ; about a fourth part more die 
in the seasoning. So that thirty thousand 
die, that is, are murdered. O earth ! O sea ! 
cover not their blood ! 

* 5. The negroes are exposed naked to 
the examination of their purchasers : then 
they are separated to see each other no more. 
They are reduced to a state, scarce any way 
preferable to beasts of burden. A few yams 
or potatoes are their food ; and two rags their 
covering. Their sleep is very short, their 
Labor continual and above their strength, so 
tiiat death sots many of them at liberty be- 
fore they have lived out half their days. 
They are attended by overseers, who, iftbej" 
think them dilatory, or any thing not so well 
done as it should be, whip them unmerciful- 
ly ; so that you may see their bodies long 
after waled and scarred from the shoulder 
to the waist. Did the Creator intend that 
the noblest creatures in the visible world 
should live such a life as this ? 

'6. As to the punishment inflicted on 



them, 'they frequently geld them, or chop 
off half a foot ! after they are whipped till 
they are raw all over, some put pepper and 
salt upon them ; some drop melted wax upon 
their skin, others cut off their ears, and con- 
strain them to broil and eat them. For re- 
bellion, that is, asserting their native liberty, 
which they have as much right to as the air 
they breathe, they fasten them down to the 
ground with crooked sticks on every limb, 
and then applying fire to the feet and hands, 
they burn them gradually to the head ! 

'7. But will not the laws made in the col- 
onies prevent or redress all cruelty and op- 
pression? Take a few of those laws for a 
specimen, and judge. 

'In order to rivet the chain of slavery, the 
law of Virginia ordains — ' No slave shall be 
set free, upon any pretence whatever, except 
for some meritorious services, to be adjudged 
and allowed by the Governor and Council; 
and where any slave shall be set free by his 
owner, otherwise than is herein directed, the 
church-v/ardens of the parish wherein such 
negro shall reside for the space of one month, 
are hereby authorized and required to talie 
up and sell the said negro, hj) public outcry.^ 

' Will not these lawgivers take effectual 
care to prevent cruelty and oppression ? 

'The law of Jamaica ordains — 'Every 
slave that shall run away, and continue ab- 
sent from his master twelve months, shall he 
deemed rebellious :^ and by another law, fifly 
pounds are allowed to those who 'kill or bring 
in alive, a rebellious slave.'' So their law treats 
these poor men with as little ceremony and 
consideration, as if they were merely brute 
beasts! But the innocent blood which is 
shed in consequence of such a detestable 
law, must call for vengeance on the murder- 
ous abettors and actors of such deliberate 
wickedness. 

'But the law of Barhadoes exceeds even 
this — 'If any negro under punishment by his 
master, or his order, for running away, or any 
other crime or misdemeanor, shall suffer in 
life or member, no person tchalsoever shall 
be liable to any fine therefor. But if any man 
of wantonness, or only of bloodmindedness 
or cruel intention, wilfulhj kill a negro of his 
own' — now observe the severe punishment ! 
— 'he shall pay into the public treasury, M^ 
teen pounds sterling : and not be liable to 
any other punishment or forfeiture for the 
same ! 

'Nearly allied to this, is that law of Vir^ 
ginia — ' After proclamation is issued against 
slaves that run away, it is lawful for any per" 
son whatsoev&r to kill and destroy such 
slaves by such ways and irieans as he shall 
think fit.' 

' We have seen already some of the ways 
and means which have heen thought ft on 
such occasions : and many more might be 
mentioned. One man, when I M'as abroad, 



John fVesley^s T/wuf^hts on SlaDcry. 



15 



liliought fit to roast his slave alive ! But if tlic 
jiost natural act of running away from in- 
olerable tj'ranr.y deserves such relentless 
:everity, what punishment have those law- 
lakers to expect hereafter, on account of 
|(ieir own enormous offences? 
ij ' III. This is the plain, unaggravated mat- 
er of fact. Such is the manner wherein 
]ur slaves are procured: such the manner 
Vhereinthey were removed from tlieir native 
md, and wherein they are treated in our 
olonies; Can tliese things be defended on 
he principles of even heathen honesty? 
Jan they be reconciled, setting the Bible out 
f the question, with any degree of either 
'ustice or mercy ? 

' 2. The grand plea is, ' They are autlior- 
:;ed by law.' But can !aw,human law change 
fie nature of things ? Can it turn darkness 
nto linht, or evil into good ? By no means. 
Notwithstanding ton tiiousand laws, right is 
ight, and wrong is wronnj-. There must 
till remain an essential difference between 
jstice and injustice, cruelty and mercy. So 
hat I ask ; Who can reconcile this treat- 
(lent of the slaves, first and last, with either 
nercy or justice ? where is the justice of 
nflicting the severest evils on those who 
ave done us no wrong? Of depriving 
iiose who never injured us in word or deed, 
f every comfort of life ? Of tearing them 
'om their native country, and depriving them 
f liberty itself; to which an Angolan has 
le same natural right as an American, and 
n which ho sets as high a value? Where 
i the justice of taking away the lives of in- 
ocent, inoft'ensive men? Murdering thou- 
andsof them in their own land by the hands 
f their own countrymen ; and tens of thou- 
ands in that cruel slavery, to which they are 
unjustly reduced? 

' 3. But / strike at the root of this compli- 
atcd villany. I ahsolutelij deny all slave- 
oldins^ to be consistent ivilh any degree of 
ntural justice. Judg-e Blackstonc has plac- 
d this in the clearest light, as follows: 

"|Tho three orjgins of the right of slavery 
ssigned by .Justinian are all built upon false 
jundations. I. Slavery is said to arise 

om captivity in war. The conqueror having 

right to tlie life of his captive, if he spares 
!iat, has a righ.t to deal with him as he 
leases. But this is untrue, that by the laws 
f nations a man has a right to kill his ene- 
ly. He has only a right to kill him in cases 
f absolute necessity, for self-defence. And 
; is plain this absolute necessity did notsub- 
ist, since he did not kill him, but made him 
risoner. War itself is justifiable only on 
rinciples of self-preservation. Therefore 
: gives us no right over prisoners, but to 

inder their hurting -«s by confining them, 
duch less can it give a right to torture^or kill, 

r even enslave an enemy, when the war is 
'ver. Since therefore the right of making 



our prisoners slaves, depends on a Supposed 
rigiit of slaughter, that foundation tailini,''* 
the consequence wliich is draw'i from it must 
fall likewise. 2. It is saidj slavery may be- 
gin by one man's selling himself to anotlier. 
It is true, a man may sell himself to work for 
another ; but lie cannot sell himself to be a 
slavc,as above defined. Every sale implies an 
equivalent given to the seller, in lieu of what 
he transfers to tiie buyer. But whatequiva* 
lent can be given for life or liberty? Uirt 
property likewise, with the very price which 
he seems to receive, devolves to his master 
the moment he becomes his slave ; in this 
case, therefore, the buyer gives nothing. Of 
what validity then can a sale be, which de- 
stroys the very princijde upon wliich ailsalcs 
are founded ? 3. We arc told tiiat men may 
he horn slaves,hy being the children of .slaves. 
But this, being built upon the two former 
false claims, must fall with tlicm. If neither 
captivity nor contract, by the plain law of 
nature and reason, can reduce the parent to 
a state of slavery, much less can they re- 
duce the oflspring.' It clearly follows, that 
all slavery is as irreconcilable to justice, as 
to mercy. 

'4. That slaveholding is utterly inconsis- 
tent with mercy, is almost too plain to need a 
proof It is said: 'These negroes, being 
prisoners of war, our captains and factors 
buy tliem, merely to save them from being 
put to death. Is not this mercy ?' I answer ; 
1. Did Hawkins, and many others, seize upon 
men, women, and children, who were at 
peace in their own fields and houses, merely 
to save them from deatii ? 2. Was it to save 
them from death, that they knocked out the 
brains of those they could not bring away? 
3. Who occasioned and fomented those wars, 
wherein these poor creatures were taken 
prisoners ? Who excited them by monpy,by 
drink, by every possible means to fall upon 
one another? Was it not themselves ? They 
know in their own consciences it was, if they 
have any consciences left. 4. To bring the 
matter to a short issue : Can they say before 
Ciod, that they ever took a single voyaije, or 
brought a single African from tiiis motive ? 
They cannot. To set money, not to .?ai)elives, 
was whole and sole spring of their motives, 

'5. But if this manner of procuring and 
treating slaves is not consistent with mercy 
or justice, yet there is a plea for it which 
every man of business will acknowledge to 
be quite sufncient. One meeting an emi- 
nent statesman in the lobby of the House 
of Commons said— 'Von have been long 
talking about justice and equity ; pray, which 
is this bill? Equity or justice?' He an- 
swered very short anil plain—' Damn justice ; 
it is necessity.' Here also the slaveholder 
fixes his foot ; here he rests the strength of 
his cause. ' If it is not quite right, yet it 
must be so : there is an absolute necessity for 



IG 



John WesUy's ThougUs on Slavery, 



it. It is necessary we shoul J procure slaves ; 
and when wo luive procured then), it is neces- 
sary to use them with severity, considering 
their stupidity, stubbornness, and wicked- 
ness.' You stumble at tiie threshliohl ; I 
deny that villany is ever necessary. It is 
impossible tliat it sliould ever be necessary 
for any reasonable creature to violate all the 
laws of justice, mercy, and truth. No cir- 
cumstances can make it necessary for a man 
to burst in sunder all the ties of humanity. 
// can ntvtr bt necessary for a rational being 
to sink himself below a brute. A man can be 
under no necessiti/ of degradinsc himself into 
<t wolf ' The absurdity of the supposition 
is so glaring, that one would wonder any one 
could help seeing it. • 

' G. What is necessary ? and to what end ? 
h may be answered ;' The whole method 
now used by the original purchasers of Afri- 
cans is necessary to the furnishing our col^ 
onies yearly with a hundred thous|ind slaves.' 
I grant this is necessary to that end. But 
liow is that end necessary ? How will you 
prove it necessary that one hundred, that o«e 
of those slaves should be procured ? * It is 
necessary to my gaining a hundred thousand 
pounds.' Perhaps so : but how is this ne- 
cessary? It is very possible you might be 
both a better and a happier man, if you had 
Hot a quarter of it. I deny that your gain- 
ing one thousand is necessary, either to your 
present or eternal happiness. 'But you 
must allow these slaves are necessary for 
llie cultivation of our islands : inasmuch as 
white men are not able to labor in hot cli- 
mates.' I answer; 1. It were better that 
all those islands should remain uncultivated 
for ever ; yea, it were more desirable that 
ihey were altogether sunk in the depth of 
the sea, than that they should be cultivated 
at so high a price, as the violation of justice, 
mercy, and truth. 2. But the supposition on 
which you ground your argument is false. 
White men are able to labor in hot climates, 
provided they arc temperate both in meat 
and drink, and that they inure themselves to 
it by degrees. / speak no more than I knoiv 
hy experience. The summer heat in Georgia 
is frequently equal to that in Barbadoes, and 
lo that under the line : yet I and my family, 
eight in nimiber, employed all our spare 
time there, in felling of trees and clearing 
of ground, as hard labor as any slave need 
be employed in. The German family like- 
wise, forty in number, were employed in all 
manner of labor. This was so far from im- 
pairing our health, that we all continued 
perfectly well, while the idle ones round 
about us were swept away as with a pesti- 
lence. It is not true, therefore, that white 
men are not able to labor, even in hot cli- 
mates, full as well as black. If they wore 
not, it would be better that none should la- 
bor there, that the work should be left un- 



done, than that myriads of innocent me 
should be murdered, and myriads more I 
dragged into the basest slavery. ' But tl 
furnishing us with slaves is necessary for tl 
trade, wetilth, and glory of the nation.' Be 
ter no trade, than trade procured by villan 
It is far better to have no wealth, than 
gain wealth at the expense of virtue. Be 
ter is honest poverty, than all the richi 
bought by the tears, and sweat, and blood 
our fellow creatures. 

' 7. When we have slaves^ it is necessai 
lo use them with severity. What, to wh 
them for every petty offence till they are in 
gore of blood ^ To take that opportunity 
rubbing pepper and sidt into their raivjlesh 
To drop burning sealing'-wax vpon the 
skins ? To castrate them ? To cut off' h(i 
liieir foot tvith an are ? To hang them < 
gibbets, that they may die by inches ivith hei 
end hunger, and thirst ? 'To pin them dot 
to the ground, and then burn them by degte 
from the. feet to the head '^ To roast them alive 
When did a Turk or a heathen find it nece 
sary to use a fellow-creature thus ? To wh 
end is this usage necessary.' 'To preve 
their running away, and to keep them co: 
stantly to their labor, that they may n- 
idle away their time. So miserably stup 
is tills race of men, so stubborn and i 
wicked 1 Allowing this, to whom is thi 
stupidity owing.' It lies altogether at tl 
door of their inhuman masters, who ga^ 
them tio means, no opportunity of improvii 
their understanding; and indeed leave the 
no motive, either from hope or fear to a 
tempt any such thing. They were no wj 
remarkable for stupidity while they remai. 
ed in Africa. To some of the inhabitants 
Europe they are greatly superior. Survt 
the natives of Benin, and of Lapland. Cor 
pare the Samoeids and the Angolans. Tl 
African is in no respect inferior to the Eur 
pean. Their stupidity in our colonies is li 
natural ; otherwise than it is the natural € 
feet of their condition. Consequently it 
not their fault, but yours ; and you must a 
swer for it before God and man. 'But th( 
stupidity is not the only reason of our trfeB 
ing them with severity : for it is hard to S! 
which is the greatest, this, or their stubbor 
ness and wickedness. But do not these, 
well as the other, lie at your door ? Are n 
stubbornness, ctnming, pilfering, and dive 
other vices the natural necessary fruits 
slavery, in every age and nation .' Wh 
means have you used to remove this stubborp 
ness? Have you tried what mildness ai: 
gentleness would do ? What pains have y 
taken, what method have you used to reclii 
them from their wickedness? Have y< 
carefully taUght theni, 'that there is a (n 
a wise, powerful, merciful Being, the Crr:it 
and Governor of heaven and earth ; that 1 
has appointed a day wherein he will j'"' 



John Wtsleifs Thoughts on Slavcrij. 



17 



the world, will take an account of all our 
thoughts, words, and actions ; that in that 
day he will reward every child of man ac- 
cordinjT to his works : that then the rijrhtoous 
shall inherit the kingdom prepared for them 
from the foundation of the world; and the 
wicked shall be cast into everlasting iiro, 
prepared for the devil and his angels ?' If 
you have not done tliis, if you have taken no 
pains nor thought about this matter, can you 
wonder at their wickedness ? What wonder 
if they should cut your throat ? and if they 
did, whom could you thank for it but your- 
self? You first acted the vUlian in making 
thcinslar)"fi, whether you stole them orbouglit 
them. Vou kept them stupid and wicked, 
by cutting them off from all opportunities of 
improving cither in knowledge or vu'tue ; 
and now you assign their want of wisdom or 
goodness as the reason for using them worse 
than brute beasts ! 

'V. I add a few words to those who are 
more immediately concerned. 

'1. To Traders. You have torn away 
children from their parents, and parents from 
their children ; husbands from their wives ; 
wives from tlieir beloved husbliands ; breth- 
ren and sisters from each othei*. You have 
dragged them who have never done you any 
wrong, in chains, and forced them into the 
vilest slavery, never to end but with life ; 
such slavery as is not found among the Turks 
in Algiers, nor among the heathens in Amer- 
ica. You induce the villain to steal, rob, 
murder men, women, and children, without 
number, by paying him for his execrable la- 
bor. It is all your act and deed. Is your 
conscience quite reconciled to this? does it 
never reproach you at all ? Has gold en- 
tirely blinded your eyes, and stupified your 
heart? Canyon see, can you /eeZ no harm 
therein ? Is it doing as you would be done 
to? Make the case your own. 'Master,' 
said a slave at Liverpool, to the merchant 
that owned him, 'what if some of my coun- 
trymen were to come here, and take away 
Mistress, and Tommy, and Billy, and carry 
them into our country, and make them slaves, 
how would you like it?' His answer was 
worthy of a man — ' I will never buy a slave 
more while I live.' Let his resolution be 
yours. Have no more any part in this de- 
testable business. Instantly leave it to those 
unfeeling wretches, ' who laugh at human 
nature and compassion.' Be you a man ; 
not a wolf, a devourer of the human species ! 
Be merciful, that you may obtain mercy. 

'Is there a God ? You know there is. Is 
he a just God ? Then there must be a state 
of retribution; a state wherein the just God 
will reward every man a(«;ording to his 
works. Then what reward will be rendered 
to you? O think betimes ! before yon drop 
into eternity! Think now. ' He shall have 
judgment without mercy that hath showed 



no mercy.' Are you a man ? Then you 
should have a human heart. But have you 
indeed? what is your heart made of ? Is 
there no such principle as compassion there ? 
Do you never feel another's pain? Have 
you no sympathy? no sense of human wo? 
no pity for the miserable ? When you saw 
the streaming eyes, the heaving breasts, the 
bleeding sides, and the tortured limbs of 
your fellow-creatures, were yon a stone or a 
brute ? Did you look upon them with the 
eyes of a tiger? Had you no relenting? 
Did not one tear drop from your eye, one 
sigh escape from your breast ? Do you feel 
no relenting now? If you do not, you must 
go on till the measure of your iniquities is 
full. Then will the great God deal with you, 
as you have dealt with them, and require all 
tlioir blood at your hands. At that day it 
shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomor- 
rah than for you. But if your heart does re- 
lent; resolve, God being your helper, to es- 
cape for your life. Regard not money ! All 
that a man hath, will he give for his life. 
Whatever you lose, lose not your soul ; noth- 
ing can countervail that loss. Immediately 
quit the horrid trade ; at all events be an 
honest man. 

'2. To Slaveholders. This equally con- 
cerns all slaveholders, of whatever rank and 
degree: seeing men-buyers are exacthj on a 
level ivith men-stealers ! Indeed you say, \l 
pay honestly for my goods ; and I am not 
concerned to know how they arc come by.' 
Na}', but you are : you are deeply concerned 
to know they arc honestly come by: other- 
wise you are partaker with a thief,and are not 
a jot honester than he. But ynu know they are 
not honestly come by : you know they are 
procured by means nothing near so innoeetit as 
picking pockets, house-breaking, or robbery 
upon the highioay. You know they are procur- 
ed by a deliberate species of more com- 
plicated vil]any,of fraud, robbery, and mur- 
der, than was ever practised by Mohamme- 
dans or Pagans ; in particular, by murders 
of all kinds'; by the blood of the innocent 
poured upon the ground like water. Now it 
is your money that pays the African butcjier. 
You therefore are principally guilty of all 
these frauds, robberies, and murders. You 
are the spring that puts all the rest in mo- 
tion. They would not stir a stop without 
you : therefore the blood of all these wretch- 
es who die before their time hes upon your 
head. 'The blood of thv brother crieth 
ao-ainst thee from the earth.' O whatever it 
costs, put a stop to its cry before it be too 
late ; instantiv, at any price, were it tiie half 
of your froods, deliver Ihyself from blood- 
guiltiness! Thy hanrfs, thy bed, thy Jtmv- 
ture, thy house, and thy lands at present are 
stained with blood. Surely it is enough ; ac- 
cumulate no more guilt: spill no more the 
blood of the innocent. Do not hir^ another 



18 



John Wcslcy^s Thoughts on Slaveri/. 



to shed blood ; do not pay him for doing it. 
Whether you are a Christian or not, show 
yourself a man! Be not more savage than 
a lion or a bear! 

' Perhaps you will say ; ' I do not buy any 
slaves; I only use those Icit by my father.' 
But is that enough to satisfy your con- 
science ? Had your father, haveiyo2r,hasany 
man living a right to use another as a slave .'' 
It cannot be, even setting revelation aside. 
Neither war nor contract can give any man 
such a property in another as he has in his 
sheep and oxen. Much less is it possible, 
that any chiUl of man should ever be born a 
slave. Liberty is the right of every human 
creature, as soon as he breathes the vita! air : 
and no human law can deprive him of that 
right which he derives from the law of na- 
ture. If therefore you have any regard to 
justice, to say nothing of mercy, or of the 
revealed law of God, render unto all their 
due. Give liberty to whom liberty is due, to 
every child of man, to every partaker of hu- 
man "nature. Let none serve you but by his 
own act and deed, by his own voluntary 
choice. Away with all whips, all chains, all 
compulsion ! Be gentle toward all men, and 
see that you invariably do unto every one, 
as you would he should do unto you. 

' O thou God of love, thou who art loving 
to every man. and whose merry is over all 
thy works ; thou who art the Father of the 
spirits of all flesh, and who art rich in mercy 
unto all ; thou who hast formed of one blood, 
all the nations upon the earth ; have compas- 
sion upon these outcasts of men, who are 
trodden down as dung upon the earth ! Arise, 
and help these that have no helper, Avhose 
blood is spilled upon the ground like water! 
Are not these also the work of thine own 
hands, the purchase of thy Son's blood ? 
Stir them up to crv unto thee in the land of 
their captivity ; and let their complaint come 
up before thee ; let it enter into thine ears! 
Make even those that lead them captive to 
pity them and turn their captivity. O burst 
thou all their chains in sunder ; more espe- 
ciallv the chains of their sins: tliou Saviour 
of all, make them free, that they may be 
free indeed !' 

'The servile projjpnv of Ham, 

Seize ns llic purchase of thv blood 

Let all the heathens know thy name 
From idols to llic living- God 

'I'he darV Americans convert. 

And shine in every Pagan heart I' 



Thk preceding official documents which 
have been issued by the most imposing and 
powerful ecclessiastical Assemblies in our 
republic are strenuously recommended to all 
American citizens, and especially to those 
who profess to be Christians, of every de- 
«omination. Upon the members of the va- 



rious churches, the awful responsibility rests 
whether the curse of man-stealing shall 
longer be protracted, and whether the tr^^ 
mcndous punishment of this henious an.d 
'complicated villany' shall longer impend 
over our guilty country. A grosser delusion 
caimot be indulged, than the anticipation that 
the evil will be redressed and the crime be 
abolished by the Southern Legislators. To 
Christians the Avork peculiarly appertains. 
It is their duty, to brand slavery with the mark 
of Cain; and it is their ;?nr)7fire, to cleanse 
the temple of those ^ chief Priests and Scribes, 
ivho have made the house of prayer a den oj 
thieves.^ This can be accomplished only by 
recurring to the gospel in its authority and 
holiness; by admitting, in all their legitimate 
sway, tiie principles inculcated by the testi- 
monies which have been cited ; and by a 
prompt and unfeigned compliance with the 
just and evangelical requisitions which the 
Presbyterian and Methodist churches pro- 
mulge. 

Presbyterians and Methodists ! This sub- 
ject is urgently addressed to you. Here 
are your own doctrines and your own disci- 
pline. You solemnly and constantly pro- 
claim before the world as the creed of your 
respective churches, that every slaveholdei 
is 'in the gall of bitterness and in the bond 
of iniquity.' You have publicly declared 
your conviction of the evil of slavery during 
nearly fifty years. You have pretended tc' 
record rules for its exptirpation from among: 
you; and yet man-stealing is daily extend- 
ing in your communions, and the number of 
'sinners of the first rank, wiio are guilty o: 
the highest kind of theft,' augments in tlie 
most crying and fearful manner. How long 
will you tolerate this appalling criminality ■ 
How long will you exhibit this marvelloiu 
and destructive hypocrisy.^ How long wil 
you 'speak smooth things, prophesy deceits 
say peace, peace, when there is no peace ? 
for 'there is no peace' saith the Lord,'untf 
the wicked ;' and ifmen-stealers,the most at 
trocious of all criminals before God and man 
who never sincerely desired ' to flee fron 
the wrath to come, and to be saved from theii 
sins,' are not the wicked ; to what beings ii 
the universe can the epithet be applied ? 

Preachers ! Remember, as John Weslej 
remarked; ^ the hands, the bed, the furniture, 
the house, and the lands of every slaveholdei ' 
at present are stained icith blood!' You arc 
commanded not to be partakers of otlie: 
men's sins ; instead of which, when you se( 
the men-thieves, you consent with them : 
and arc involved in all their guilt, as acccs 
sories both before and after the fact ; fo: 
you not only encourage the robbery, but yoi 
also receive the donations of those felon.' 
into your church treasuries ; and thereby yoi 
' devour the prey, and divide the spoil .'' 

We congratulate those Baptist aud Pres 



Johi JFesley^s TJmights on SLvenj. 



19 



yterian churches, who have adopted the 
yrstem which excludes all slaveholders from 
leir communion ; and rejoice in your ad- 
ancement in pure truth and Christian prac- 
ce. But we would also affectionately urge 
pon you an additional measure which will 
?nder your principles and your discipline 
niform. Eject all slave-driving' preachers 
•om your pulpits. The refusal of the slave- 
older to the Lord's table, and the reception 
f the slave-holder into the pulpit, are utter- 
f incongruous ; and the latter most anti- 
hristian measure, not only nullifies the for- 
ler, but absolutely obscures it from sight, 
nd leaves the public to suppose that the 
rime of man-stealing is innocence in a 
reacher, while it is guilt in a common mem- 
. er. We therefore implore you to be al- 
i^ays and decidedly consistent, and renounce 
Itogether'the unfruitful works of darkness.' 
The appeal is likewise made to all those 
Christian people,' to adopt the language of 
le Presbyterian General Assembly of 1818, 
dio have 'most inconsistently fallen into the 
ractice of enslaving their brethren of man- 
ind;' and your attentive perusal of the pre- 
ious extracts from the standards of the 
'resbyterian and Methodist churches is earn- 
stly desired. Do you sincerely believe that 
he religion which you profess in the smallest 
legree justifies American slavery ? Did you 
'ou ever seriously and impartially examine 
he word of God, and compare its oracular 
lictates with the spirit, practice, and effects 
)f slave-holding.? Did you at any time 
ipply the benevolent injunctions of the 
tfosaic law, and the merciful demands of 
he Lord Jesns Christ to the system of 
etaining your fellow-citizens in a state of 
jondage unparalleled for cruelty, base- 
less, and anguish in the annals of savage 
nan ? Have you ever attempted to re- 
'iew, as far as your imagination could soar, 
he stupendous events of that morning of ret- 
ibution, when all actions and the motives 
vhence they floAved, will be decided, not by 
iie horrible codes of human legislation, but 



by the standard of unerring rectitude, and 
will be approved or condemned, as God the 
righteous Judge shall announce ? Are you 
fully convinced that the dreadful debase- 
ment, the corroding toil, the constant priva- 
tions, the agonizing fears, tlie lawless exac- 
tions, the brutal violations, and the hopeless 
ignorance to which you doom your tollow- 
citizens will be acknowledged by the Judge 
of the quick and the dead, as a consistent ful- 
lowingof hun'who went about doing good?' 
' When the Son of man shall come in his 
glory, and all the holy angels with him,' do 
you truly anticipate that the King will admit 
a slave-driver's treatment of his colored fel- 
low-citizens and disciples of Jesus, to buthnt 
giving of meat to the hungry, and of drink 
to the thirsty; that hospitality to a stranger, 
that clothing of the naked, that visiting of 
the sick, and that consolation to the prisoner; 
which he will announce as proof of supreme 
attachment to the gracious Redeemer ? Your 
consciences cannot reply to these quostions 
in the affirmative. 

How much longer then will you endanger 
your eternal salvation ? How dare you to as- 
sert the groundless plea of necessity ; and 
hypocritically to make it a cover for the love 
and practice of man-stealing, and a cozen- 
ing pretence for your 'shameful and unright- 
eous conduct ?' Therefore, 'thus saith the 
Lord my God— feed the flock of the slaught- 
er; whose possessors slay them, and hold 
themselves not guilty, and they who sell them 
say, blessed be the Lord, for I am rich, and 
their own shepherds pity them not. My 
soul loathed them, and their soul abhorrpil 
me.' Zechariah xi. 4, 5, 8. ' Loose the 
bands of wickedness ; undo the heavy bur- 
dens, let the oppressed go free, and break 
every yoke.' Tsaiah Iviii. 4 — 7. 'Wo unto, 
him that buildeth his house by unrighteous- 
ness, that useth his neighbor's service with-- 
out wages, and o-ivoth him not for his work.'" 
Jeremiah xxii. 12, 17. ' We"p and howl for- 
your miseries that shall come upon you.'"" 
V. 1— (). 



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